Hey Romeo headlines for Hinton rodeo, new president expects continued success

The Mary Reimer Memorial Rodeo has a new president this year, and he says he’s keeping the same successful formula.

Rick Kenworthy took over as president of the River Valley Riding Association’s signature event in Hinton. Gordon Murison ran the show for the last couple of years, Kenworthy said.

"We did more maintenance and upkeep on the grounds and stuff this year," Kenworthy said. "We’re runnin’ the same show, sanctioned by Wild Rose Rodeo Association and Lakeland Rodeo [Association]."

It’s the 17th year for the annual Hinton rodeo, held on the Mary Reimer Park rodeo grounds this upcoming weekend, July 26–28. The event is co-sanctioned by both the WRA and LRA, with competitors earning points for each.

Tickets for $10 include admission to the rodeo and the midway fair that will be set up on the grounds with carnival rides. Seniors and youth (7–17) are $5 and kids under 6 are free. Friday night will be a series of fun rodeo events with local participants, beginning at 5 p.m. There will be rescue races and a bloomer race for the ladies.

"Rescue race is where you got one person standing on the ground down at one end of the arena and another person rides up to ’em on the horse," Kenworthy described. "You basically have to pick ’em up and double ’em back across the finish line."

For the bloomer race, a team of three women has to put a pair of bloomers (ladies’ undergarment) on a calf and get the calf across the finish line with it wearing the bloomers.

Earl "Squirrelly Early" Anderson will be back as the rodeo clown to provide running colour-commentary and entertainment.

The sanctioned rodeo events buck off on Saturday at 1 p.m. Point leaders for both the WRA and LRA are expected to compete. Top bareback bronc riders are Cole Goodine, Rob Aubrey and Brandon Stuart. The top bull riders on the circuit so far include Brock Radford, Armando Rodrigues, and Jordan Wasieczko.

"They’re all chasing points for year-end," Kenworthy said.

A free family night on Friday at 9 p.m. features the country band Rockin’ Chair, who are returning again, having played the rodeo for the last two years. The three-piece band based out of Langley, B.C. will also play at the Saturday night dance at 9 p.m., headlined by the Albertan country trio Hey Romeo.

Nominated for three Canadian Country Music Association Awards in 2013, including Group of the Year, Hey Romeo will perform at the Mary Reimer Memorial for the first time. They also won the 2012 CCMA Group of the Year award.

Tickets for the Saturday dance are $35, on sale at the Huckleberry Store, Sweet Lou’s Lounge and Grill, or by contacting Char McClelland at 780-740-1049.

Sunday’s events also begin at 1 p.m. There will be a pancake breakfast Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Kenworthy has been involved in the local event for the past 13 years. The perspective as president is a bit different.

"Having to see more of the big picture rather than focus in on individual things," he said. "It’s all a lot of fun for us, that’s for sure."

Rodeo finals for the LRA this year will be in St. Paul Aug. 27 to Sept. 1. The WRA will hold its finals in Barrhead Sept. 16–22.